2. Methodology
Study Design
This qualitative study used community-sourced narrative data from individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges who voluntarily shared their stories.
Data Collection
Timeframe: October 1, 2022 – March 18, 2023
Participants: 718 individuals (aged 14–68)
Method: Anonymous online submission form hosted on projectsemicolon.com
Prompts included:
“What stopped you from asking for help?”
“Describe a time you almost reached out but didn’t.”
“What would have helped you feel safer asking for support?”
Demographics Collected (optional and self-reported):
Data Handling
All responses were anonymized and stored securely. Participants gave consent for their words to be used in research and public reporting. Responses were coded thematically using grounded theory, identifying repeated ideas, emotional patterns, and systemic touchpoints.
3. Participant Overview
| Demographic Category | % of Participants |
|---|
| Age | |
| 14–24 | 31% |
| 25–44 | 45% |
| 45+ | 24% |
| Gender Identity | | | Women | 61% | | Men | 27% | | Nonbinary/Other | 10% | | Prefer not to say | 2% |
| Race/Ethnicity | | | White | 63% | | Black or African Am. | 14% | | Latinx | 11% | | Asian/Pacific Islander | 6% | | Indigenous | 2% | | Other/Multiple | 4% |
| Received Prior Mental Health Care |
|---|
| Yes – 52% |
| No – 48% |
4. Key Findings
1. Stigma and Shame (78% of responses)
“I felt like I should just be stronger.”
Many participants expressed internalized stigma—feeling that asking for help would make them weak, broken, or a burden. Others reported fear of how friends, family, or employers would view them.
2. Cost and Insurance Barriers (61%)
“I had no insurance. A therapist was more expensive than rent.”
The cost of care—especially in the U.S.—was cited as a primary obstacle. Even those with insurance often faced high deductibles or a lack of in-network providers.
3. Negative Past Experiences (48%)
“I opened up once. The therapist barely looked at me. I never went back.”
Some participants had tried seeking care previously but were met with cold, dismissive, or even harmful experiences—creating lasting distrust of the system.
4. Waitlists and Delayed Access (44%)
“They told me to wait six weeks. I didn’t know if I’d make it to Friday.”
Long delays in getting an appointment were frequently cited as deterrents. The mismatch between crisis needs and system timelines was a recurring theme.
5. Lack of Safe or Culturally Competent Spaces (29%)
“I’m Black, queer, and religious. No provider ever felt safe for all of me.”
Many felt that providers did not understand or respect their identity, culture, or spiritual beliefs. This led to feelings of invisibility or fear of judgment.
5. Quotes from Participants
“I wore a mask for so long, I forgot I was allowed to take it off.”
— 27-year-old female, Texas
“It wasn’t that I didn’t want help. It’s that I didn’t believe anyone would actually help.”
— 34-year-old male, Michigan
“I had to choose between therapy or food for my kid. That’s not really a choice.”
— 41-year-old single parent, Ohio
“The first time I opened up, I got a Bible verse. The second time, a prescription. I needed someone to see me.”
— 23-year-old nonbinary participant, Florida
6. Implications and Next Steps
This research confirms what many in our community already know: the mental health system is broken in ways that keep people silent. These stories call us to:
Expand peer-led and community-based support that lowers the barrier to entry
Advocate for policies that improve access (including insurance reform, workforce expansion, and cultural competence training)
Create safety-first, stigma-free spaces online and in communities where people feel truly seen
Educate providers using lived experience as a form of expertise
7. Acknowledgments
Thank you to everyone who shared their story with us. Your voice matters—and will help shape a future where asking for help isn’t so hard.
8. Contact
For questions, collaboration, or to request access to de-identified datasets, email:
📧 research@projectsemicolon.com
